Fresh from their NPL clash against Port Melbourne Sharks, Bul Juach is gearing up for Heidelberg's Hahn Australia Cup Semi Final against A-League Premiers Auckland FC, and his message was clear – belief is high within the group.
“It’s definitely the best squad I’ve played in. We’ve got no limits, so who says we can’t win it?” Juach said.
“For me there’s no pressure. I play freely, the club make it easy for me, so I don’t feel any pressure, nothing changes.”
Heidelberg’s 2025 Cup run has been impressive, to say the least. They beat Western Sydney Wanderers 3-0 in the Round of 16, before routing Wellington Phoenix 4-0, both at Olympic Village – a ground they haven’t lost at since last August.
“Nobody comes to the Village and dictates the play,” coach John Anastasiadis said, highlighting the team’s strength at home.
Anastasiadis, making his third Semi Final as a head coach and first with Heidelberg, reflected on the broader significance of the club’s achievement.
“It says a lot about Victorian football,” he said. “This run is special because we've beaten two A-League clubs on the way to the Semi Final.”
While their Hahn Australia Cup run has understandably grabbed the headlines, Heidelberg also secured Australian Championship qualification with a 2-2 draw against Port Melbourne Sharks on the final day of the season, adding another layer to an already big week.
“It’s good for us as a club to be involved in a competition like this,” Anastasiadis said.
“Heidelberg should be in the highest competition that the country gives you apart from the A-League.”
Juach reaffirmed the emotion around the club. “It’s a very exciting tournament,” he told Football Australia.
“It’s going to be a very good competition with good teams around the country… a really good opportunity for me to test myself again against the best players around the country, so I'm looking forward to it.”
With confidence high and momentum on their side, Heidelberg will now look to carry their form into the Hahn Australia Cup Semi Final and continue their strong season on both fronts.
